Reframing reflective practice: insights from physiology and physics

Reflection is essential to physician development, yet too often it is treated as a mandatory exercise in continuing professional education. This article reframes reflection through two fresh lenses. First, drawing on autonomic physiology, it argues that reflection flourishes in parasympathetic 'rest-and-digest' states that promote psychological safety. Second, using optics, it shows how the choice of 'light' and 'mirror' shapes perspectives and the insights gained during reflection. Individual, pairwise and group reflection activities carry different benefits and risks; these all require specific safeguards and boundaries. By reframing reflection, this article offers useful strategies to integrate authentic reflection into clinical training and medical practice.